Space2b Social Design

Space2b Social Design is a shopping and community destination on Chapel Street in St Kilda, built around art, design and social enterprise. Its retail outlet and gallery provide a place to discover and support work by local artists, refugees and newly arrived migrant designers, while the wider organisation helps participants develop creative and business skills. The shop and gallery are part of a broader hub that also includes a laneway café, design studio, workshop and training space, and small business facilities.

There is more to Space2b than browsing and buying. The organisation runs exhibitions, workshops, community art projects, events and programs designed to connect people, artists and local communities. Its website has featured printmaking exhibitions and opportunities to meet participating printmakers, giving visitors a way to engage with the people and processes behind the work. The venue also promotes online shopping, volunteering and other ways to take part, so it suits visitors looking for a more connected experience than a conventional retail stop.

Space2b grew from a meeting between fashion designer Janine Lawrie and Abdi, a recently arrived refugee from Somalia who had been working as a tailor and hoped to start his own business. That early connection became the foundation for an organisation focused on practical opportunity, mentoring, workplace training and creative enterprise. Today, Space2b describes itself as an open, grassroots setting where newly arrived migrants, refugees and local designers can exchange knowledge, ideas and skills. Its approach centres on capability, confidence, self-reliance and cultural understanding.

The venue is a natural fit for people interested in socially minded shopping, contemporary art, design and community programs. Visitors can browse the retail and gallery spaces, attend an exhibition or workshop, or spend time in the laneway café. Its Women's Circle provides a dedicated option for women from culturally diverse backgrounds, with sewing, English conversation, connection and support sessions. Whether you are visiting independently, joining a creative activity or looking for a way to support local makers and a migrant-focused social enterprise, Space2b offers several ways to participate in St Kilda's community life.